Description 7272 Wisconsin Avenue: Sketch Plan Amendment No ...

Description

Staff Recommends Approval of the Sketch Plan Amendment, Preliminary Plan, and Site Plan, with conditions.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT THEMARYLAND‐NATIONALCAPITALPARKANDPLANNINGCOMMISSION

MCPB Item No. 3 Date: 1.5.17

7272 Wisconsin Avenue: Sketch Plan Amendment No. 32016004A, Preliminary Plan 120160380, Site Plan 820160200

Elza Hisel‐McCoy, Regulatory Supervisor, Area 1, elza.hisel‐[email protected], 301.495.2115

Robert Kronenberg, Chief, Area 1, [email protected], 301.495.2187

Creation of one lot for up to 937,184 total square feet of mixed‐use development, including office, retail, and residential uses, as well as accommodate the Bethesda Purple Line Station, access to the southern entrance to the Bethesda Red Line Station, and the Capital Crescent Trail;

Current use: office and retail uses, including the Regal Bethesda 10 Cinema complex;

Located in the southwest quadrant of the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Elm Street;

2.69 gross acres zoned CR 8.0 C 7.5 R 7.5 H 250 in the 2014 Bethesda Purple Line Station Plan Minor Master Plan Amendment area;

Applicant: CP 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, LLC c/o Carr Properties;

Accepted as complete on July 11, 2016 (Sketch Amdt. October 28, 2016)

Summary

Completed: 12.23.16

elza.hisel-mccoy

Initials

robert.kronenberg

New Stamp

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TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3

SECTION 2: RECOMMENDATION AND CONDITIONS 4 Sketch Plan Amendment Preliminary Plan Site Plan

SECTION 3: SITE DESCRIPTION 12 Site Vicinity Site Analysis

SECTION 4: PROJECT DESCRIPTION 22 Previous Approvals Proposal Community Outreach

SECTION 5: SKETCH PLAN AMENDMENT 31 Analysis and Findings

SECTION 6: PRELIMINARY PLAN 32 Analysis and Findings

SECTION 7: SITE PLAN 38 Analysis and Findings

ATTACHMENTS 46

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SECTION 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Staff Recommends Approval of the Sketch Plan Amendment, Preliminary Plan, and Site Plan, with conditions.

The site is located at the junction of the Metro Red Line, the Purple Line, and the Capital Crescent Trail, and is directly accessed from the commercial development along Wisconsin Avenue and the mixed residential and retail development along Elm Street and Woodmont Plaza.

Beyond the typical office space, retail, apartments, service, and structured parking typically included in a sizeable infill redevelopment, the program for this 2.69‐acre site includes a dizzying array of public and private uses, each of which requires a considerable amount of space: the Purple Line station and tail tracks, access to the Red Line station, the Capital Crescent Trail, the bike parking and maintenance space, and an underground multi‐screen movie theatre. The Applicant team has been coordinating extensively (and continues to) with their consultants, numerous county and state agencies and departments, and PLTP, the contractor chosen to implement and operate the Purple line (not to mention community groups and tenants!). They have produced a complex design that efficiently accommodates this program; there are a lot of moving parts to this project, and they have made it beautiful.

Redevelopment will allow up to a maximum of 937,184 sf. of total development, including 360,800 sf. of office uses, 14,572 sf. of retail uses including a movie theatre, and 480 multifamily dwellings, of which 12.5% will be MPDUs.

The development will consist of a shared podium containing structured parking, building entrances, and retail, with an office tower rising along Wisconsin Avenue and a multi‐tower residential building along Elm Street.

After Sketch Plan approval, which limited the maximum height to 250’, the County Council passed Zoning Text Amendment 16‐08 which allows, with Planning Board approval, any Optional Method project in a CR zone that includes the provision of a Major Public Facility to add the height of any floor mostly used for above grade parking to the maximum height otherwise allowed, when the major public facility diminishes the ability of the Applicant to provide parking at or below grade. The development includes four levels of above‐grade parking, totaling 40’, and is thus proposing to increase the maximum building height to 290’.

On December 7, 2016, Historic Preservation Commission conditionally approved the Applicant to relocate the Community Paint and Hardware/Wilson Store historic site, currently located in the southeast corner of the site, to County Parking Lot 41 on Middleton Lane.

Continued coordination between the Applicant, Planning and DOT staff, MTA, and PLTP is seeking to address the proximity of the Purple Line tail tracks to the Capital Crescent Trail, to allow for an appropriate minimum clear path through the area.

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SECTION 2: RECOMMENDATION AND CONDITIONS Sketch Plan Amendment 32016004A Staff recommends Approval of Sketch Plan No.32016004A, 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, to revise Condition 2 to allow additional building height as allowed by ZTA 16‐08, from 250’ to 290’. The following condition supersedes and replaces Condition 2.

2. Height The development is limited to the maximum height of 250 feet, exclusive of any additional height allowed by Section 4.5.2.A.2.e., as illustrated on the Certified Site Plan.

Preliminary Plan No. 120160380 Staff recommends Approval of Preliminary Plan No.120160380, 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, which completely supersedes Preliminary Plan No. 11985178, subject to the following conditions:

1. This Preliminary Plan is limited to one lot with up to 937,184 square feet of total development, including up to 360,800 square feet of office uses, up to 14,572 square feet of retail uses, and up to 480 multi‐family dwelling units.

2. The Planning Board accepts the recommendations of the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (“MCDOT”) in its letter dated September 20, 2016, and hereby incorporates them as conditions of the Preliminary Plan approval. The Applicant must comply with each of the recommendations as set forth in the letter, which may be amended by MCDOT provided that the amendments do not conflict with other conditions of the Preliminary Plan approval.

3. The Planning Board accepts the recommendations of the Maryland State Highway

Administration (“MDSHA”) in its letter dated December 19, 2016, and hereby incorporates them as conditions of the Preliminary Plan approval. The Applicant must comply with each of the recommendations as set forth in the letter, which may be amended by MDSHA provided that the amendments do not conflict with other conditions of the Preliminary Plan approval.

4. Prior to issuance of access permits, the Applicant must satisfy the provisions for access and improvements as required by MDSHA and MCDOT.

5. Prior to recordation of the plat(s) the Applicant must satisfy MCDPS requirements to ensure the construction of frontage improvements, on both the Elm Street and Wisconsin Avenue frontages, as shown on the Certified Site Plan. These improvements may be modified by MCDPS and MD SHA, provided that the amendments do not conflict with other conditions of the Preliminary Plan approval.

6. Prior to the release of any building permit for above‐grade construction on the Subject

Property, the Applicant must enter into a Traffic Mitigation Agreement (TMAg) with the Planning Board and MCDOT. The TMAg must include trip mitigation measures recommended by MCDOT in its letter dated September 20, 2016.

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7. The Adequate Public Facility (APF) review for the Preliminary Plan will remain valid for eighty‐five (85) months from the date of mailing of this Planning Board Resolution.

8. The Planning Board accepts the recommendations of the Montgomery County Department of

Permitting Service (“MCDPS”) – Water Resources Section in its stormwater management concept letter dated October 31, 2016, and hereby incorporates them as conditions of the Preliminary Plan approval. The Applicant must comply with each of the recommendations as set forth in the letter, which may be amended by MCDPS – Water Resources Section provided that the amendments do not conflict with other conditions of the Preliminary Plan approval.

9. The Applicant must dedicate and show on the record plat(s) dedication along Wisconsin Avenue

from the right‐of‐way centerline to the surface Public Improvement Easement above the existing underground parking structure to remain, as illustrated on the Certified Preliminary Plan.

10. Prior to record plat, the Applicant must record and provide a public use and access easement on the Subject Property for the full width and extent of the Capital Crescent Trail (CCT), as shown on the Certified Site Plan, granted to Montgomery County, in trust for the public, in a recordable form containing provisions to address the following:

a. Entitlement for open and unobstructed public use of the easement for all necessary pedestrian, bicycle, general public, and emergency access;

b. Obligation for the Applicant to design and construct the on‐site portion of the CCT, as shown on the Certified Site Plan pursuant to comparable MCDOT structural construction standards, at the Applicant’s expense, unless such obligation has been assumed by another entity as part of the overall trail maintenance;

c. Obligation for the Applicant to maintain and repair the structural components, including the trail surface, of the on‐site portion of the CCT in a condition acceptable to MCDOT for all access, at the Applicant’s expense, unless such obligation has been assumed by another entity as part of the overall trail maintenance;

d. Obligation for the Applicant to keep the on‐site portion of the CCT free of snow, litter and other obstructions and hazards at all reasonable times, at its expense, unless such obligation has been assumed by another entity as part of the overall trail maintenance;

e. Entitlement for the Applicant or its designee to close the on‐site portion of the CCT for normal maintenance and repair at reasonable times and upon reasonable prior notice to the public.

11. The Applicant must construct all road improvements within the rights‐of‐way shown on the

approved Preliminary Plan to the full width mandated by the master plan and/or to the design standards imposed by all applicable road codes. Only those roads (or portions thereof) expressly designated on the Preliminary Plan, “To Be Constructed By _______” are excluded from this condition.

12. The certified Preliminary Plan must contain the following note:

Unless specifically noted on this plan drawing or in the Planning Board conditions of approval, the building footprints, building heights, on‐site parking, site circulation, and sidewalks shown on the Preliminary Plan are illustrative. The final locations of buildings,

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structures and hardscape will be determined at the time of issuance of site plan approval. Please refer to the zoning data table for development standards such as setbacks, building restriction lines, building height, and lot coverage for each lot. Other limitations for site development may also be included in the conditions of the Planning Board’s approval.

13. The Applicant must submit a revised Final FCP to correctly identify the afforestation requirements.

14. The record plat must show all easements.

15. Prior to recordation of any plat, Site Plan No. 820160200 must be certified by M‐NCPPC Staff.

16. No clearing or grading of the site for new construction, or recording of plats prior to Certified Site Plan approval. Upon Final Forest Conservation Plan approval, and before Certified Site Plan approval, the Applicant may obtain Erosion and Sediment Control and demolition permits for the existing building.

Site Plan No. 820160200 Staff recommends Approval of Site Plan No.820160200. All site development elements shown on the latest electronic version as of the date of this Staff Report submitted via ePlans to the M‐NCPPC are required except as modified by the following conditions.1

Conformance with Previous Approvals & Agreements

1. Sketch Plan Conformance The development must comply with the binding elements and conditions of approval for Sketch Plan No. 320160040 as listed in the MCPB Resolution No. 16‐17 dated February 12, 2016, as amended.

2. Preliminary Plan Conformance The development must comply with the conditions of approval for Preliminary Plan No. 120160380, being reviewed concurrently with this Site Plan.

Environment

3. Forest conservation a. The Final Forest Conservation Plan (FFCP) must be consistent with the Preliminary FCP. b. The fee‐in‐lieu amount on the approved FFCP must be executed prior to any clearing,

grading or demolition associated with the project. c. The Applicant shall coordinate with the Planning Department Forest Conservation

Inspector to review the LOD and any tree save measures and/or other items that may be required prior to the start of any clearing, grading, or demolition.

1 For the purposes of these conditions, the term “Applicant” shall also mean the developer, the owner or any successor (s) in interest to the terms of this approval.

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4. Noise Attenuation a. Prior to issuance of a building permit for new construction, the Applicant must provide

Staff with certification from an engineer specializing in acoustics that the building shell has been designed to attenuate projected exterior noise levels to an interior level not to exceed 45 dBA Ldn.

b. The Applicant must provide a signed commitment to construct the units in accord with these design specifications, with any changes that may affect acoustical performance approved by the engineer and Staff in advance of installation.

c. After construction is complete, and prior to issuance of final residential occupancy permits, the Applicant must provide staff with a certification from an engineer specializing in acoustics confirming that the dwelling units were constructed in accord with the approved specifications for noise attenuation.

d. If the plan changes in any manner that affects the validity of the noise analysis for acoustical certifications and noise attenuation features, the Applicant must conduct a new noise analysis to reflect the revised plans, and new noise attenuation features may be required.

5. Historic Preservation

The Applicant must relocate the Wilson Store Historic Resource, consistent with the Historic Area Work Permit as recommended by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) in its letter dated December 7, 2016, the recommendations of which the Planning Board hereby incorporates as conditions of Site Plan approval. The Applicant must comply with each of the recommendations as set forth in the letter.

Public Use Space, Facilities and Amenities

6. Public Open Space, Facilities, and Amenities a. The Applicant must provide a minimum of 7,500 square feet of Public Open Space (8%

of lot area) on‐site. b. The Applicant must construct the streetscape improvements along the Property’s

frontage on Wisconsin Avenue and Elm Street, consistent with the Bethesda Streetscape Standards, including undergrounding of utilities, if any.

c. Before the issuance of the final use and occupancy certificate for the development, all public open space areas on the Subject Property must be completed.

7. Public Benefits

The Applicant must provide the following public benefits and meet the applicable criteria and requirements of the Zoning Ordinance and the CR Zone Incentive Density Implementation Guidelines for each one.

a. Major Public Facilities – The Applicant must construct the space for the Bethesda Purple Line station, access to the Red Line station, the Capital Crescent Trail, and a bicycle storage and maintenance facility, as illustrated on the Certified Site Plan.

b. Transit Proximity – The development is located on top of the Bethesda Purple Line station and immediately adjacent to the southern Bethesda Red Line station entrance.

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c. Connectivity between Uses, Activities, and Mobility Options Transit Access Improvement – The Applicant must construct new access to the future Purple Line station and improve access to the new Red Line Station south portal entrances, as illustrated on the Certified Site Plan.

d. Quality Building and Site Design i. Exceptional Design –The exterior architectural character, proportion, materials,

and articulation must be substantially similar to the schematic elevations shown on the Certified Site Plan, as determined by M‐NCPPC Staff.

ii. Structured Parking –The Applicant must provide a minimum of 720 parking spaces within the above‐ and below‐grade structure.

e. Protection and Enhancement of the Natural Environment i. Building Lot Terminations (BLTs) – Before issuance of any building permit for new

construction, the Applicant must provide proof of purchase and/or payment of 2.09 BLTs to the MCDPS.

ii. Vegetated Roof –The Applicant must install a vegetated roof with a soil depth of a minimum of 4 inches covering a minimum of 33% of the building's roof, excluding space for mechanical equipment.

8. Recreation Facilities

Before Certified Site Plan approval, the Applicant must meet the requirements for the applicable recreational elements and demonstrate to M‐NCPPC Staff that each element meets M‐NCPPC Recreation Guidelines.

9. Maintenance of Public Amenities

The Applicant is responsible for maintaining all publicly accessible amenities including, but not limited to the open space at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Elm Street and all public open space onsite.

Transportation & Circulation

10. Bicycle Parking a. Exclusive of the bicycle parking required by Condition 11.e., the Applicant must provide

bike parking as follows: i. for the office use a minimum of 63 bicycle parking spaces for long‐term use and

10 bicycle parking spaces for short‐term use; ii. for the retail use a minimum of 2 bicycle parking spaces for short‐term use; and iii. for the multi‐family residential use a minimum of 95 bicycle parking spaces for

long‐term use and 5 bicycle parking spaces for short‐term use. b. The specific location(s) of the short term and long‐term bicycle parking must be identified

on the Certified Site Plan. c. Short term public bicycle parking must be installed near the main entrances to the

multifamily building, office building, retail, and open space. d. Secure long term bicycle parking must be installed, internal to the proposed high rise

residential building and office building, for resident and employee use.

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11. Capital Crescent Trail a. The Applicant must construct the segment of Capital Crescent Trail within the project

limits, adjacent to the Purple Line light rail. b. The final trail design and section must be shown on the Certified Site Plan. Subsequent

minor modifications in trail design and section may be approved by Planning Department staff without Site Plan Amendment.

c. Through the building, the Capital Crescent Trail must have a minimum clear width of 15’; at the entrance from Woodmont Plaza the minimum clear width may be a minimum of 14’. Planning Department staff may approve an alternative width after Certified Site Plan without a Site Plan Amendment.

d. The Capital Crescent Trail improvements, as shown on the Certified Site Plan, must be completed prior to issuance of the final residential Use and Occupancy Certificate.

e. The Applicant must construct the space for bicycle parking and maintenance area, as illustrated on the Certified Site Plan, with final fit‐out to be provided by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation or their designee before the Purple Line Station is open for use. The Applicant must provide water, sewer, electrical, and fiber‐optic utility connections available for use by the bicycle parking and maintenance area.

12. Fire and Rescue The Planning Board accepts the recommendations of the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services(MCDPS) Fire Code Enforcement Section in its letter dated October 31, 2016, and hereby incorporates them as conditions of approval. The Applicant must comply with each of the recommendations as set forth in the letter, which MCFRS may amend if the amendments do not conflict with other conditions of Site Plan approval.

Density & Housing

13. Moderately Priced Dwelling Units (MPDUs) a. The Planning Board accepts the recommendations of Department of Housing and

Community Affairs (DHCA) in its letter dated December 21, 2016, and hereby incorporates them as conditions of the Site Plan approval. The Applicant must comply with each of the recommendations as set forth in the letter, which DHCA may amend provided that the amendments do not conflict with other conditions of the Site Plan approval.

b. The development must provide 12.5 percent MPDUs on‐site consistent with the requirements of Chapter 25A and the applicable Master Plan.

c. Before issuance of any residential building permit, the MPDU agreement to build between the Applicant and the Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) must be executed.

Site Plan

14. Building Design

The exterior architectural character, proportion, step‐backs, materials, and articulation must be substantially similar to the schematic elevations shown on the Certified Site Plan, as determined by M‐NCPPC Staff.

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15. Landscaping

a. Prior to issuance of the final Use and Occupancy Certificate, all on‐site amenities including, but not limited to, streetlights, sidewalks/pedestrian pathways, hardscape, benches, trash receptacles, bicycle facilities, recreation amenities, and public open space must be installed.

b. Prior to issuance of the final Use and Occupancy Certificate, all rooftop amenities must be installed.

c. The Applicant must install landscaping no later than the next growing season after completion of site work.

16. Lighting

a. Before issuance of any building permit for new construction, the Applicant must provide certification to M‐NCPPC Staff from a qualified professional that the lighting plans conform to the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) standards for this type of development.

b. All onsite down‐lights must have full cut‐off fixtures. c. Deflectors will be installed on all fixtures causing potential glare or excess illumination. d. The light pole height must not exceed the height illustrated on the Certified Site Plan,

including the mounting base.

17. Site Plan Surety and Maintenance Agreement a. Prior to issuance of any building permit for new construction, the Applicant must enter

into a Site Plan Surety and Maintenance Agreement with the Planning Board in a form approved by the M‐NCPPC Office of General Counsel that outlines the responsibilities of the Applicant. The Agreement must include a performance bond(s) or other form of surety as required by Section 59‐7.3.4.G.1. of the Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance, with the following provisions:

i. A cost estimate of the materials and facilities, which, upon Staff approval, will establish the surety amount.

ii. The cost estimate must include applicable Site Plan elements, including, but not limited to plant material, on‐site lighting, paving, outdoor furntithure, outdoor recreational facilities, and other improvements associated with the public open space.

iii. The bond or surety must be tied to the development program, and completion of all improvements covered by the surety will be followed by inspection and potential reduction of the surety.

iv. The bond or surety must be clearly described within the Site Plan Surety & Maintenance Agreement including all relevant conditions and specific Certified Site Plan sheets depicting the limits of development.

18. Development Program

The Applicant must construct the development in accordance with a development program table that will be reviewed and approved prior to the approval of the Certified Site Plan.

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19. Certified Site Plan Before approval of the Certified Site Plan the following revisions must be made and/or information provided subject to Staff review and approval:

a. Include the final forest conservation approval letter, stormwater management concept approval letter, development program, and Site Plan resolution (and other applicable resolutions) on the approval or cover sheet(s).

b. Add a note to the Site Plan stating that “M‐NCPPC Staff must inspect all tree‐save areas and protection devices before clearing and grading.”

c. Add a note stating that “Minor modifications to the limits of disturbance shown on the site plan within the public right‐of‐way for utility connections may be done during the review of the right‐of‐way permit drawings by the Department of Permitting Services.”

d. Modify data table to reflect development standards approved by the Planning Board. e. Ensure consistency of all details and layout between Site and Landscape plans.

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SECTION 3: SITE DESCRIPTION Site Vicinity The subject site (Subject Property or Property), also known as the Apex Building, is located on the west side of Wisconsin Avenue at the intersection with Elm Street in Downtown Bethesda, in the 2014 Bethesda Purple Line Station Plan Minor Master Plan Amendment (Sector Plan) area. The Property is bounded by Elm Street to the north, Wisconsin Avenue to the east, and commercial development to the south and west.

Figure 1‐Vicinity Map

The area surrounding the Property is developed with a mix of low‐, mid‐, and high‐rise office uses. There are mid‐and high‐rise multi‐family residential uses to the south along Bethesda Avenue and to the northwest along Woodmont Avenue. To the west along Woodmont Avenue and beyond is the Bethesda Row restaurant and retail area. The Capital Crescent Trail (currently the Georgetown Branch Trail) regional recreational and transportation facility connecting Georgetown and Silver Spring runs underneath the site.

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Figure 2‐Aerial View looking South

Figure 3‐Aerial View looking East

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The Property is zoned CR 8.0, C 7.5, R 7.5, H 250. The immediately adjacent properties are also zoned CR, but only for a 5.0 FAR, with maximum building heights ranging from 90 feet to 145 feet. To the south along Wisconsin Avenue, the properties are zoned CR 3.0, with building heights ranging from 35 feet to 120 feet. Across Woodmont Avenue to the west the properties are zoned CRT or CR, with densities between 1.5 and 2.25 FAR and building heights of 40 feet to 75 feet.

Figure 4‐Zoning Map Site Analysis The 2.69‐acre Property is improved with a 5‐story building containing office and retail uses, including the Regal Bethesda 10 Cinema Complex. The Property slopes down to the west about 14 feet towards Woodmont Avenue. The sole vehicular access to the Property is presently located off Wisconsin Avenue, in the southeast corner of the site. Pedestrian access to the building’s retail and office entrances is located along Wisconsin Avenue, at the corner with Elm Street. Pedestrian and bicycle access beneath the building to the Georgetown Branch Trail is provided from Woodmont Plaza to the west and Elm Street Park across Wisconsin Avenue to the east. There are no specimen trees, floodplains, streams, forests, wetlands or their associated buffers located on the Property. Staff approved a Natural Resource Inventory/Forest Stand Delineation (NRI/FSD) for the Project on December 22, 2015. The Wilson Store Historic Site is in the southeast corner of the Site.

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SECTION 4: PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Previous Approvals The Planning Board approved Preliminary Plan No. 11985178 by Resolution dated October 22, 1987, for 118,395 square feet of office uses and 61,404 square feet of retail. The proposed Preliminary Plan will fully supersede this approval. On February 11, 2016, the Planning Board approved Sketch Plan 320160040 (by Resolution 16‐017, dated February 12, 2016) for up to 937,184 square feet of total development, including up to 878,610 square feet of residential uses, with 12.5% MPDUs, and up to 878,610 square feet of commercial uses, that will accommodate the Bethesda Purple Line Station, the southern entrance to the Bethesda Red Line Station, and the Capital Crescent Trail (Attachment A).

Figure 5 – Sketch Plan 320160040

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Historic Preservation The Community Paint and Hardware/Wilson Store (“Wilson Store”), at 7250 Wisconsin Avenue, is an individually designated historic site (#35/14‐07) added to the Master Plan for Historic Preservation in 1986. This Italianate‐style store is the only remaining commercial structure from Bethesda’s 19th century past. The two‐story frame structure, constructed in 1890 on the site of the original Rockville Pike toll booth, is a good example of turn‐of‐the‐century rural village commercial architecture. Originally the community’s general story and post office known as Wilson’s Store, the building later housed the Community Paint and Hardware Store, a popular store for several generations of Bethesda families. The store building was relocated 50 feet to the south of its original location and restored for retail use in 1988 as part of the Apex Building development. The Historic Preservation Commission on December 7, 2016, considered a proposal to relocate the Wilson Store from its current location to Lot 41 on Middleton Lane, approving the Historic Area Work Permit application with three conditions. While relocation of a historic structure is generally not the preferred preservation treatment, in certain situations moving a structure may be the best option. The Historic Preservation Commission found that the Wilson Store currently is sited in a diminished historic context, albeit one associated with and proximate to the store’s original location on Wisconsin Avenue, and that the demolition of the Apex Building and construction of a new, much larger building on the site would be detrimental to the preservation of the historic site. The Commission also found that the project, within the context of the larger the Apex Building redevelopment, was consistent with the goals established in the Purple Line Station Plan Minor Master Plan Amendment, and that this project – including the relocation of the Wilson Store – is in the public interest. Finally, the Commission found that relocating the Wilson Store – if necessitated by this project – would lead to the continued preservation and use of the historic structure, consistent with the purposes of the Master Plan for Historic Preservation and the Historic Preservation Ordinance (Chapter 24A of the County Code). Proposal The Applicant proposes to create one lot with up to 937,184 square feet of total development, including up to 360,800 square feet of office uses, up to 14,572 square feet of retail uses, and up to 480 multi‐family dwelling units (including 12.5% MPDUs), on 2.69 gross acres. The Development will accommodate the Bethesda Purple Line Station, the southern entrance to the Bethesda Red Line Station, and the Capital Crescent Trail (CCT). Site Design The overall site design is an evolution of that approved with the Sketch Plan. The development will have a 5‐6‐story podium covering the majority of the site, with two buildings, one office and one residential, rising above. At the corner of Elm Street and Wisconsin Avenue, the podium gives way to an open space. Undergirding the podium are the Purple Line Station, the Capital Crescent Trail, Bike Station, and parking. The Red Line station entrance, earlier conceived to be within the site, is located within the Elm Street right‐of‐way.

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Figure 6 – Site Layout

In addition to service, retail, and residential uses, as shown in the building sections below, the podium consists primarily of structured parking. Since Sketch Plan, the County Council passed Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 16‐08 (Ordinance 18‐17) (Attachment B). This ZTA adds Section 4.5.2.A.2.e., allowing that

With Planning Board approval, any Optional Method project in a CR zone that includes the provision of a major public facility under Section 4.7.3.A may add the height of any floor mostly used for above grade parking to the maximum height otherwise allowed, when the major public facility diminishes the ability of the Applicant to provide parking at or below grade.

Per the ZTA, the Applicant is adding the four levels of above‐grade parking, totaling 40’, to the maximum building height allowed by the zone, 250’. The Applicant is proposing buildings that measure 290’ from the building height measuring points.

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Figure 7 – Site Cross Section “C” (Elm Street on the left looking east)

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Figure 8 – Site Longitudinal Section “B” (Wisconsin Avenue to the right looking north)

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Open Space

Figure 9 – Public Open Space Plan

The Applicant is providing 7,500 square feet of Public Open Space, more than the 5% required by the zoning code. The heart of the open space in the project is located at the corner of Elm Street and Wisconsin Avenue. At staff’s suggestion, retail dining areas have been excluded from the calculation of Public Open Space. The open space serves a variety of functions, both public and private. The space includes the Purple Line Station entrance at its center and by extension the Red Line Station entrance on Elm Street. Along the building edges are retail uses, including potential for outdoor dining, and the entrance to the multi‐family building. As illustrated by the sections above, provision of space for the Purple Line Station creates a unique topographical context for the open space design, with the entrances for the apartment building and retail further from Wisconsin located at a significant elevation above the Wisconsin Avenue sidewalk. The Applicant has been coordinating extensively with the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), County Department of Transportation (DOT), and the implementing contractor, Purple Line Transit Partners (PLTP), on the design of the transit portals within the space and on Elm Street.

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To address these issues, the Applicant team has devised creative solutions to integrate these elements within an attractive overall design, as shown below. The central architectural feature of the space is a green‐roofed pavilion that houses the elevator, stairs, and escalator down to the Purple Line Station. This pavilion organizes the space into a more private retail/restaurant/café zone behind, and a public transit space at the heart transitioning to a private entry area for the apartment building. The central area is designed to easily accommodate station traffic from sidewalks along both adjoining streets. Along its edges, however, it also provides opportunities to sit and people‐watch or wait for someone, with landscaped areas and a subtle water feature.

Figure 10 – Open Space Perspective (Wisconsin Avenue to the left and Elm Street to the right)

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Figure 11 – Open Space Design (showing transit access)

Figure 12 – Open Space Design (showing roof over transit access)

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Architecture The proposed architecture is contemporary in character, and modulates the massing of these substantial buildings to dramatic effect. The office building fronts on Wisconsin Avenue and consists of three main elements: a five‐story base with ground‐floor retail, building entrances, and parking above; a series of glass boxes above the base, sliding past each other to create a varied profile with potential for terraces; and a more solid vertical mass at the back.

Figure 13 – Wisconsin Avenue façade, Office Building

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Figure 14 – Elm Street Elevation, Apartment Building

The multi‐family building fronts on the public open space facing Wisconsin Avenue, and similarly features a 4‐6‐story base, with residential townhouse‐like units lining the structured parking, with building access and the Purple Line Station below. The residential towers above shift massing to break down their scale, and decrease in height moving toward Woodmont Plaza to the west. An architectural screen system will provide warmth and visual interest. Recessed terraces at several levels will provide the opportunity for green highlights. This treatment extends around the corner to the Woodmont Plaza façade as well.

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Figure 15 – Woodmont Plaza Elevation, Apartment Building

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Circulation

Figure 16 – Circulation Diagram

The development will provide transit access within the Property to both the new Purple Line station and the new southern entrance elevators to the Bethesda Metrorail Red Line station, to be located under the abutting Elm Street right‐of‐way. Vehicular access to the Property is proposed directly from both Elm Street and Wisconsin Avenue, with garage access from both streets and truck loading from Wisconsin Avenue. Pedestrian access will be provided from the Wisconsin Avenue and Elm Street sidewalks, as well as on the CCT from Woodmont Plaza. The Applicant will be working to maximize pedestrian entrances along the two streets to help activate the ground floor. Bicycle access to the site will be via the CCT running through a lower level of the building, with access to Georgetown and Silver Spring. The CCT east of the site, under Wisconsin Avenue, will be built by others in the future.

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Along Woodmont Plaza, the base of the building will open to the Purple Line Station and the CCT. As shown below, the townhouse units above will overlook the plaza and Elm Street. The Station tail tracks will extend either side of the foreground walkway, while the CCT entry is to the right.

Figure 17 – Perspective Detail, Woodmont Plaza view into Station and CCT

Figure 18 – Floor Plan, Purple Line/CCT Level

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In accordance with the recommendations of the Minor Master Plan Amendment, the Applicant is also providing space for a bicycle storage and maintenance facility along the trail at the entrance to Woodmont Plaza. The innovative design takes advantage of the deep floor‐to‐ceiling height to create upper and lower levels connected by a helical ramp system. The space includes a deceleration area at the trail entrance and room to park over 250 bikes, and has the potential to include showers, changing rooms and other amenities. While this plan will fix the size, location, and arrangement of the platforms and ramps, the “fit‐out” of the space and its operation will be determined at a later stage by MCDOT, either directly or by contract.

Figure 19 – Perspective View into CCT Bike Facility (Is that bike yours?)

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Figure 20 – Detail, CCT Bike Facility Floor Plan w/ Potential Furnishing

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Design Issue: Tail Tracks & the CCT One issue that is not resolved under this review is the proximity between the Purple Line station tail tracks and the CCT. As illustrated in the diagram below, the two facilities share some of the same space in somewhat close quarters. The result is the potential for a series of “pinch points” through the transition area between Woodmont Plaza and the CCT within the building. The Applicant, and staff from the Planning Department, DOT, MTA, and PLTP, and others have been working together to come up with creative solutions within the constrained space. As this coordination will continue beyond the Planning Board’s review of the Preliminary and Site Plans, staff is including in its recommended conditions of approval minimum clear widths for the CCT through this project.


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Community Outreach The Applicant has met all signage, noticing, and submission meeting requirements. Staff has received no comments on the proposed design.

SECTION 5: SKETCH PLAN AMENDMENT ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS

Except as discussed below, the proposed modifications to the Sketch Plan will not alter the overall character or impact of the development with respect to the original findings of approval. 1. meet the objectives, general requirements, and standards of this Chapter;

The Sketch Plan Amendment continues to meet the objectives, general requirements, and development standards of Section 59‐4.5.4, as found with the original sketch plan approval. As discussed below, the Applicant’s treatment of the architectural massing, the location of the site above two major transit lines and away from single‐family neighborhoods, allows the additional building height afforded by ZTA 16‐08 to be consistent with the previous findings.

a) Implement the recommendations of applicable master plans.

Land Use and Zoning The Application continues to take full advantage of the density and height provisions promoted by the Sector Plan, which increased the density from a 5.0 FAR to an 8.0 FAR and a height increase from 143 feet to 250 feet. The additional building height offers greater flexibility to accommodate the numerous program elements of the improved station and trail. The additional height allowed by ZTA 16‐08, from 250 feet to 290 feet, continues to meet this intent with a design that uses vertically and horizontally shifting massing and materials to break up the overall perceived mass of the building from a distance, and a well‐defined

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building podium base to help ensure the pedestrian scale experienced closer to the development, with retail and building entries and outdoor café seating.

d) Allows a flexible mix of uses, densities, and building heights appropriate to various settings

to ensure compatible relationships with adjoining neighborhoods. The Project continues to propose to maximize the density above the future Purple Line Station but now within a maximum building height of 290’ rather than 250’. With the Property located above access to two major transit lines along central Wisconsin Avenue, this redevelopment will continue to set a new center of activity for transit‐oriented development in Downtown Bethesda. It is located away from nearby single‐family neighborhoods, buffered by open space and lower‐scale development, and the architectural treatments, including modulated massing and materials, will minimize the buildings’ visual impact. The additional building height remains compatible with adjoining neighborhoods.

5. achieve compatible internal and external relationships between existing and pending nearby development; As discussed above, the redevelopment of this site will establish a new center of activity for Downtown Bethesda, uniting several nearby places into one defined area. By design, the building heights on the site are taller than existing and proposed development on the surrounding blocks, with those blocks helping to transition from this transit center to the lower‐density residential neighborhoods not far from the Property. The CCT, station plaza, and other amenities will further attract people to and through the site, promoting the surrounding properties. With the increase in the maximum building height from 250’ to 290’, the buildings and open spaces remain compatible with existing and proposed nearby buildings, open spaces and uses.

SECTION 6: PRELIMINARY PLAN ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS

Sector Plan Conformance Planning Vision of the Sector Plan The proposed Sketch Plan is consistent with, and furthers, the recommendations of the 2014 Bethesda Purple Line Station Minor Master Plan Amendment. The Project realizes the “Better Alternative” which incorporates the alternative station design that improves the quality of service provided by a new station as follows:

The Purple Line platform would be larger and, without interrupting columns, would provide more room for riders and trains;

The Purple Line station platform would be straight, eliminating gaps between train and platform;

The Red Line Metro south entrance would be located within the new building with access to high‐speed elevators directly from the street;

CCT users would have a choice to cross Wisconsin Avenue either in a new tunnel or at street level;

The 90‐foot‐tall ventilation tower would be incorporated into a new building and the over‐run tracks would be significantly shortened, leaving more of Woodmont Plaza available for public enjoyment;

The station area can accommodate space for full‐service bike storage (i.e., a “bike station”).

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The Project is consistent with the Sector Plan’s recommendation to encourage coordinated redevelopment of the site, especially as it relates to realizing a vision to construct a better‐designed Purple Line station and a new tunnel for the CCT. It will provide new housing and employment uses in the downtown. The Project promotes the Sector Plan objective of reducing auto dependence by integrating a combination of uses near transit options, such as WMATA Metrobus service and the future Purple Line station, and near downtown retail, businesses, public facilities, and recreational amenities. The Project’s streetscape enhancements, including new sidewalks, streetlights and street trees allows for increased pedestrian access and connectivity, provides access to shared roadways and shared use paths recommended in the Sector Plan, and provides a human‐scaled streetscape. Land Use and Zoning The Application continues to take full advantage of the density and height provisions promoted by the Sector Plan, which increased the density from a 5.0 FAR to an 8.0 FAR and a height increase from 143 feet to 250 feet. The additional building height offers greater flexibility to accommodate the numerous program elements of the improved station and trail. The additional height allowed by ZTA 16‐08, from 250 feet to 290 feet, continues to meet this intent with a design that uses vertically and horizontally shifting massing and materials to break up the overall perceived mass of the building from a distance, and a well‐defined building podium base to help ensure the pedestrian scale experienced closer to the development, with retail and building entries and outdoor café seating. Infrastructure The Sector Plan emphasizes (page 15) that “the top priority public benefits for this Plan area are the provision of space on the Apex Building site necessary for planning, construction and operation of the ‘major public facilities’ of the improved transit station and the CCT tunnel”. With the increased height and density, the Applicant proposes to accommodate the new Purple Line Station, which includes access to the Red Line Metro south entrance and the CCT trail through the building. The proposed infrastructure is consistent with Sector Plan recommendations. Public Open Space The proposed public use spaces are consistent with the Sector Plan recommendations for redevelopment of the station entrances, at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Elm Street, and the CCT tunnel. Transportation Access and Circulation Vehicular access to the Property is proposed directly from both Elm Street and Wisconsin Avenue. The project proposes automobile garage access from both streets, with truck loading access only from a full‐movement driveway on Wisconsin Avenue. All vehicular parking is proposed to be contained within a structured subgrade garage beneath the proposed building. Bicycle access to the site will be via the Capital Crescent Trail (CCT), which is proposed to run through a lower level of the building, providing a regional connection. The Project is providing space for a public bicycle storage facility adjacent to both the proposed Purple Line station and Capital Crescent Trail tunnel. Pedestrian access will be provided from the Wisconsin Avenue and Elm Street sidewalks, as

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well as on the CCT from Woodmont Plaza. The Project will maximize pedestrian entrances along the two streets to help activate the ground floor. Transit Connectivity The immediate area is well served by transit that includes the Red Line Bethesda Metrorail Station, Metrobus, RideOn, and the Bethesda Circulator. Future transit in the area includes a proposed Purple Line station beneath the building. Specific transit routes near the Site include:

1. RideOn Bus Routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, 29, 30, 32, 34, 36, 47, 70 2. WMATA Metrobus Routes J2, J3, J4, J7, J9

Master Plan Roadways and Pedestrian/Bikeway Facilities The following summarizes recommendations included in the 1994 Bethesda Central Business District Sector Plan and the 2005 Countywide Bikeways Functional Master Plan: 1. Wisconsin Avenue (MD 355), along the Site’s eastern frontage, as major highway (M‐6) within a

minimum right‐of‐way width of 114 feet. 2. Elm Street, along the Site’s northern frontage, as a business district roadway roadway within a

minimum right‐of‐way width of 60 feet. 3. Capital Crescent Trail (SP‐6), a tunne through the Site and adjacent to the Purple Line, as a

regionally‐important shared use path between Georgetown and Union Station in the District of Columbia via Bethesda and Silver Spring.

Sector‐Planned Transportation Demand Management As a mixed‐use development within the Bethesda Transportation Management District (TMD) that has more than 25 employees on the largest shift and more than 100 dwelling units, the Applicant is required to enter into a Traffic Mitigation Agreement to participate in the Bethesda TMD. Adequate Public Facilities A traffic study, dated July 1, 2016, and revised November 11, 2016, was submitted for the subject application per the LATR/TPAR Guidelines since the proposed development was estimated to generate more than 30 peak‐hour trips during the typical weekday morning (6:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.) and evening (4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) peak periods. A Site trip generation summary for the proposed development, provided in Table 1, shows that the project will generate 313 net new peak‐hour trips during the weekday morning peak period and 306 net new peak‐hour trips during the weekday evening peak period. This trip generation estimate is based on the addition of up to 360,800 square feet of General Office Space, 480 high rise dwelling units, and up to 14,572 square feet of General Retail. A summary of the capacity analysis/Critical Lane Volume (CLV) analysis for the weekday morning and evening peak‐hour periods, presented in Table 2, shows that the total (Build) condition will remain within the policy area congestion standard of 1,800 CLV. Based on the analysis presented in the traffic study, the subject application will satisfy the LATR requirements of the APF test.

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TABLE 1: SUMMARY OF SITE TRIP GENERATION‐PROPOSED PROJECT

Trip Generation Morning Peak Hour Evening Peak Hour

In Out Total In Out Total

Proposed 360,800 SF General Office (46% Transit Reduction)

Office Subtotal

480 High Rise Dwelling Units (55% Transit Reduction) Residential Subtotal

14,572 SF General Retail (47% Transit Reduction)

(Retail Pass‐by) Retail Subtotal

Total

526 (242) 284

38 (21) 17

14 (7) ‐‐ 7

308

79 (36) 43

112 (62) 50

12 (6) ‐‐ 6

99

605 (278) 327

150 (83) 67

26 (13) ‐‐ 13

407

92 (42) 50

107 (59) 48

54 (25) (10) 19

117

448 (206) 242 68 (37) 31 50 (24) (9) 17

290

540 (248) 292

175 (96) 79

104 (49) (19) 36

407

Existing Trips (Credit) Existing Office and Retail Trips

(To be Removed)

87

7

94

22

79

101

Net New Trips 221 92 313 95 211 306

Source: Wells + Associates traffic study, dated July 1, 2016 and revised November 11, 2016.

TABLE 2: SUMMARY OF CAPACITY CALCULATIONS‐PROPOSED PROJECT

Intersection Traffic Conditions

Existing Background Total AM PM AM PM AM PM

Arlington Rd/ Elm St Woodmont Ave/ Hampden Ln

Woodmont Ave/ Elm St Woodmont Ave/ Bethesda Ave Wisconsin Ave/ East‐West Hwy Wisconsin Ave/ Montgomery Ave Wisconsin Ave/ Elm St/ Waverly

Wisconsin Ave/ Elm St/ Waverly (Road Diet)

Wisconsin Ave/ Bethesda Ave Wisconsin Ave/ Leland St

Waverly St/ Montgomery Ave Wisconsin Ave/ Site Access

Elm St/ Site Access

668 470 583 384 1,070 981 769 ‐‐ 805 792 853 623 ‐‐

874 688 623 573 1,057 950 840 ‐‐ 856 788 956 499 ‐‐

802 614 724 524 1,331 1,258 914 983 1,065 971 1,004 744 ‐‐

1,041 942 874 797 1,381 1,171 988 1,060 1,137 994 1,068 687 ‐‐

840 701 857 524 1,349 1,275 913 989 1,085 975 1,014 775 504

1,047 972 1,038 832 1,442 1,213 1,028 1,102 1,133 1,000 1,097 725 487

Source: Wells + Associates traffic study, dated July 1, 2016 and revised November 11, 2016.

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Since the proposed development is within the Bethesda CBD Policy Area, the application is exempt from both the roadway and transit tests set forth in the 2012‐2016 Subdivision Staging Policy. As a result, the proposed development is not required to pay the transportation impact tax to satisfy the TPAR requirement. Other Public Facilities Public facilities and services are available and will be adequate to serve the proposed development. The Property is proposed to be served by public water and public sewer. The Application has been reviewed by the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service who has determined that the property will have appropriate access for fire and rescue vehicles. Other public facilities and services, such as police stations, firehouses, schools, and health services are operating according to the Subdivision Staging Policy resolution currently in effect and will be adequate to serve the Property. Electrical, telecommunications, and gas services are also available to serve the Property. Compliance with Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations This Application has been reviewed for compliance with the Montgomery County Code, Chapter 50, the Subdivision Regulations. The Application meets all applicable sections. The size, width, shape, and orientation of the proposed lots are appropriate for the location of the subdivision taking into account the recommendations included in the applicable master plan, and for the type of development or use contemplated. The Application substantially conforms to the 2014 Bethesda Purple Line Station Minor Master Plan Amendment. The Application complies with the specific density recommendations for the site as well as the applicable urban design, roadway, and general recommendations outlined in the Sector Plan. As evidenced by the Preliminary Plan, the site is sufficiently large to efficiently accommodate the proposed mix of uses.

Under Section 59‐4.5.4 of the Zoning Ordinance, the dimensional standards for the lots will be determined with approval of the subsequent site plans. Environment Forest Conservation and Environmental Guidelines This Application is subject to the Chapter 22A, Montgomery County Forest Conservation Law. A Natural Resources Inventory/Forest Stand Delineation (NRI/FSD) #420160820 for the project was approved on December 22, 2015. The urban site is located within the Little Falls watershed, a use‐class I‐P2 watershed. There are several existing street trees and minor landscape plantings fronting the site; the tree sizes range up to approximately 18” diameter at breast height (DBH). The site is not associated with any significant or specimen trees, nor any forest areas or other environmentally sensitive resources such as highly erodible soils, steep slopes, streams, floodplains or associated buffers.

2 Use I‐P:

WATER CONTACT RECREATION & PROTECTION OF AQUATIC LIFE, AND PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY

Waters that are suitable for: water contact sports: play and leisure time activities where the human body may come in direct

contact with the surface water; fishing; the growth and propagation of fish (other than trout); other aquatic life, and wildlife;

agricultural water supply, industrial water supply, and use as a public water supply.

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The project is subject to a Forest Conservation Plan (FCP); although there is no forest to be cleared in association with the project, there is an afforestation requirement. Given the dense urban setting over the existing Metro and future Purple Line, the afforestation credits will be met offsite by a payment of fee‐in‐lieu per Sec. 22A‐12(g)(2)(D) of the Forest Conservation Law. Staff notes that the calculation of the final afforestation requirements need to be corrected and has included a condition requiring the Final FCP to show the correct final number. Stormwater Management The MCDPS Stormwater Management Section approved the stormwater management concept on October 31, 2016 (Attachment C). According to the approval letter, the stormwater management concept meets stormwater management requirements via environmental site design to the maximum extent possible through the use of a green roof and micro‐bioretention. A portion will be treated via an underground volume‐based filtration structure. Further, due to site conditions, full treatment cannot be provided so a waiver of quantity for 1 acre is granted. Noise The project proposes residential units adjacent to an arterial roadway and over existing and future railway corridors (Metro and the Purple Line respectively); therefore, the application is subject to the noise regulations associated with residential development. A noise analysis dated November 28, 2016, was prepared by Acoustics2 (Acoustical Consultants). The report indicates that the proposed residential units will be subject to relatively moderate levels of noise impact due to the 150‐foot separation from Wisconsin Ave and the shielding provided by the proposed tower building. Furthermore, the remaining noise impact to the residential units can be mitigated by appropriate treatment of the building construction (such as the use of specialized windows).

The areas of common outdoor use include the rooftop pool and 6th floor terrace which are situated such that the transportation noise sources are below the required thresholds (65 dBA Ldn) and do not required any mitigation.

The analysis also addresses the existing and future rail corridors, noting that “The metro is underground and can only be heard thru the air shafts along Wisconsin Avenue and no vibration can be felt in the ground or existing building”. The analysis states that resilient material will be used in the construction of the Purple line to prevent adverse impacts from noise and vibration. The following conclusions are excerpted from the analysis.

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Standard conditions of approval are recommended to address the interior noise mitigation requirements.

SECTION 7: SITE PLAN ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS

1. When reviewing an application, the approval findings apply only to the site covered by the application.

2. To approve a site plan, the Planning Board must find that the proposed development: a. satisfies any previous approval that applies to the site;

The Site Plan conforms to all bindings elements and conditions of Sketch Plan Amendment No. 320160040, as amended, regarding density, the general location of vehicular access points, and the public benefit schedule. Furthermore, as conditioned, the Site Plan satisfies the requirements of Preliminary Plan 120160380, which was reviewed concurrently with the Site Plan.

b. satisfies under Section 7.7.1.B.5 the binding elements of any development plan or schematic development plan in effect on October 29, 2014; This section is not applicable as there are no binding elements of an associated development plan or schematic development plan in effect on October 29, 2014.

c. satisfies under Section 7.7.1.B.5 any green area requirement in effect on October 29, 2014, for a property where the zoning classification on October 29, 2014, was the result of a Local Map Amendment; This section is not applicable as the Property’s zoning classification on October 29, 2014 was not the result of a Local Map Amendment.

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d. satisfies applicable use standards, development standards, and general requirements under this Chapter; i. Division 4.5. Commercial/Residential Zones

Development Standards The Project is approximately 2.69 gross acres zoned CR 8.0 C 7.5 R 7.5 H 250. The following table, Table 3, shows the application’s conformance to the development standards of the zone and the approved Sketch Plan.

3 Per Section 4.5.2.A.2.e, with Planning Board approval, any Optional Method project in a CR zone that includes the provision of a major public facility under Section 4.7.3.A may add the height of any floor mostly used for above grade parking to the maximum height otherwise allowed, when the major public facility diminishes the ability of the Applicant to provide parking at or below grade.

4 The final number of parking spaces may be adjusted between the minimum and maximum allowed under Section 6.3 of the Zoning Ordinance at the time of building permit based on final unit count and/or bedroom mix.

Table 3‐Site Plan Data Table

Section 59 ‐ 4

Development Standard Approved Sketch Plan 320160040

Proposed

Tract Area (sf) Previous Dedication (sf) Proposed Dedication (sf) Lot Area (sf)

117,148

117,148 34,259 632

82,257

4.5.4.B.2.b Density (CR8.0, C7.5, R7.5, H250) Commercial FAR/GFA, Max. Residential FAR/GFA, Max. Total FAR/GFA, Max.

7.5/878,610 7.5/878,610

8.0/937,184

3.2/375,372 4.8/561,812

8.0/937,184

Dwelling Units ‐ 480

MPDUs (% / units) 12.5% 12.5%/60

4.5.4.B.2.b 4.5.2.A.2.e.

Building Height (feet) Height of floors mostly used for above‐grade parking (feet)3 Total Building Height (feet)

250

250 40

290

4.5.4.B.3 Minimum Setback From adjacent properties From R.O.W.

0’ 0’

0’ 0’

4.5.4.B.1 Public Open Space (%/sq. ft.) 5/4,076 8/7,500

6.2 Parking spaces, minimum‐maximum4 ‐ 720

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As illustrated on the Certified Site Plan, the project meets the requirements of Section 4.5.4.B.4, regarding transparency, blank walls, and active entrances, by providing attractive, varied, and activated street‐level facades. Along Wisconsin Avenue, Elm Street, and the open space, the design includes retail and restaurant entrances and outdoor café seating, clerestory views into the Purple Line station and attractive materials implemented to create continuous visual interest.

ii. Division 4.7 Optional Method Public Benefits

Consistent with Sketch Plan 320160040, the project will provide the following Public Benefits:

Major Public Facilities The Property will incorporate the space for the proposed Purple Station, construct a section of the Capital Crescent Trail, and privideaccess to the Red Line (south portal) as part of the Application. The Proposal advances the “Better Alternative” described in the Bethesda Purple Line Station Minor Master Plan and describes the planning, construction and operation of the major public facility as “the top priority benefit for this Plan area.” Staff supports the Applicant’s request for 70 points. Transit Proximity The Property is located directly on top of the proposed Purple Line station and Red Line (south portal) connection, which allows the development to be eligible for Level 1 transit as defined in the Zoning Ordinance. Staff supports the Applicant’s request for 50 points. Connectivity and Mobility Transit Access Improvements: The Applicant is constructing new access to the future Purple Line Station and improving access to the Red Line Station through access to a new south portal entrance. Staff supports the Applicant’s request for 10 points. Quality of Building and Site Design Exceptional Design: The Applicant requests 5 points for building or site design that enhances the character of a setting. Per the CR Guidelines, incentive density of 5 points is appropriate for development that meets at least four of the guideline criteria and 10 points is appropriate for development that meets all six criteria. The development meets the following four criteria, and Staff supports the Applicant’s request for 5 points: Providing innovative solutions in response to the immediate context The Project leverages the development potential afforded by the newly adopted Zoning Ordinance and the rezoning of the Property to transform an outdated, underutilized commercial site in a transit‐oriented location into a more modern, efficient development. The Project introduces true mixed use onto the site comprising residential, commercial office, retail, theatres, and restaurants, all served by the Purple and Red Line portals which are integrated into the building design. Creating a sense of place and serving as a landmark The Project's architectural elements will be distinctly modern, and will contribute to the establishment of a new sense of place within the Bethesda CBD at this transit

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focal point. A variety of colors and materials such as masonry, architectural panels and glass are contemplated for the building façade, to create visual interest. The Applicant anticipates that the building will have a distinguishable massing approach that will establish a unique presence in the Bethesda skyline, while articulating the building base in a way that provides human scale to the block. Enhancing the public realm in a distinct and original manner. The Project will provide access to two transit stations and accommodate a portion of the CCT. The Project improves pedestrian conditions by providing a much wider sidewalk of 20 feet along Wisconsin connected to an open space plaza at the corner of Elm and Wisconsin, and new streetscaping along both Elm Street and Wisconsin. The plaza includes a series of planes that are navigated by sculptural stairs, ramps and a fountain flanked by plantings that cascade into the plaza. Permanent seating is provided along the planted areas and extend into the plaza. Using design solutions to make compact infill development living, working and shopping environments more pleasurable or desirable. Unique design solutions are a major element of the Project with all of the components which must be accommodated on the Property. The design includes the access portals for the Red and Purple Lines, an integrated yet workable residential and commercial Project with a public plaza, retail, restaurants and a movie theatre. Through excellent, innovative design, the project addresses the complexities of this site and provides a quality private and public space that will enhance the lifestyle of the Bethesda community. Structured Parking: The Applicant requests 15 points for structured parking for parking above and below grade. The Applicant will provide all of the 720 parking spaces in structured garages, half above‐grade and half below‐grade. Staff supports 15 points. Protection and Enhancement of the Natural Environment Building Lot Termination: The Applicant requests 18 points for the for the purchase of 3 Building Lot Terminations (BLTs) easements. Section 59.4.7.3.F requires the Applicant to purchase BLT easements equal to 7.5 percent of the incentive density for every 31,500 square feet of gross floor area comprising the 7.5 percent incentive density floor area. The Applicant is required to purchase 1.81 BLTs under the following calculation: 937,184 sf. (8.0 FAR) – 58,574 sf. (.5 FAR) = 878,610 sf. /31,500 =27.89 x .075 = 2.09. The Applicant is permitted 9 points for each required BLT resulting in 18 points. Staff supports this request. Vegetated Roof: The Applicant requests 7.5 points for providing vegetated roofs with a soil depth of at least 4 inches and covering at least 33% of the total roof excluding space for mechanical equipment on the multi‐family building. The CR Guidelines recommend 7.5 points for development that meets the Zoning Ordinance requirements. Staff supports the 7.5 points as recommended in the CR Guidelines because the Project meets the requirement of the Zoning Ordinance.

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Table 4 ‐ Public Benefits Calculations Public Benefit Incentive Density Points

Max Allowed Sketch Plan Recommended

59.4.7.3.A: Major Public Facility 70 57 70

59.4.7.3.B: Transit Proximity 50 50 50

59.4.7.3.C: Connectivity and Mobility

Transit Access Improvement 20 20 10

59.4.7.3.E: Quality of Building and Site Design

Exceptional Design 10 5 5

Structured Parking 20 15 15

59.4.7.3.F: Protection and Enhancement of the Natural Environment

Building Lot Terminations (BLTs) 30 18 18

Vegetated Roof 15 5 7.5

TOTAL 170 175.5

iii. Division 6.1. Site Access

The development will have ample site access. Pedestrian access to the buildings and transit stations will be afforded from Wisconsin Avenue, Elm Street, and Woodmont Plaza. Vehicular access for parking and loading will be provided from Elm Street and Woodmont Avenue. Transit access to the site is provided by the Purple Line station beneath the development and the Red Line station access point along Elm Street. The development will also include a section of the Capital Crescent Trail beneath the building, connecting to the surrounding street grid and along the Trail to Georgetown and Silver Spring beyond.

iv. Division 6.2. Parking, Queuing, and Loading

Parking will be provided in above‐ and below‐ground structures within the development, with access from Wisconsin Avenue and Elm Street. Loading will be provided from Woodmont Avenue.

v. Division 6.3. Open Space and Recreation

The development has a 5 percent Public Open Space requirement. The Project proposes 8 percent, totaling 7,500 square feet of public open space, at the corner of Elm Street and Wisconsin Avenue. The Public Open Space accommodates public access to the Purple Line station, as well as inviting places to sit and watch or meet people. The development meets the active and passive recreation space required by the zone. The proposed development will provide the following on‐site recreation facilities: the Capital Crescent Trail, and indoor fitness facility, as swimming pool, and an indoor community space. The development can also take advantage of the off‐site bike system and nature trails. The development meets the required supply of recreation facilities based on the calculation methods in the M‐NCPPC Recreation Guidelines. The development will provide adequate, safe, and efficient recreation facilities to allow residents to lead an active and healthy life.

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vi. Division 6.4. General Landscaping and Outdoor Lighting

As a central development at the intersection of two major transit lines in an urban area, the project’s landscaping and lighting will be consistent with the Bethesda Streetscape Standards and the needs of the transit stations.

As shown in the Development Standards table, the Site Plan meets all the general requirements and development standards of Section 4.5 of the Zoning Ordinance, the optional method public benefits provisions of Division 4.7 of the Zoning Ordinance, and the general development requirements of Article 59‐6 of the Zoning Ordinance.

e. satisfies the applicable requirements of: i. Chapter 19, Erosion, Sediment Control, and Stormwater Management; and

A Stormwater Concept Plan was approved by the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services on October 31, 2016. The plan proposes to meet stormwater management requirements through the use of a green roof and micro‐bioretention with a partial quantity waiver.

ii. Chapter 22A, Forest Conservation.

As conditioned, and discussed in more detail in the Preliminary Plan findings, the Application is in compliance with the M‐NCPPC’s Environmental Guidelines and Forest Conservation Law.

f. provides safe, well‐integrated parking, circulation patterns, building massing and, where required, open spaces and site amenities; The parking is located in above‐ and below‐ground structures within the development. The circulation patterns take advantage of the site’s central location within downtown Bethesda and is easily accessed by foot, bike, transit, and car. The building massing consists of several towers of differing heights, with the tallest towers at the center of the site and the rest stepping down to Woodmont Plaza and to Wisconsin Avenue. The open space, concentrated at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Elm Street is well designed to integrate the needs of commuters as well as for people who want to sit and people‐watch or meet a friend. The parking, circulation patterns, building massing, and open spaces are safe and well‐integrated.

g. substantially conforms with the recommendations of the applicable master plan and any guidelines approved by the Planning Board that implement the applicable plan; Planning Vision of the Sector Plan The proposed Sketch Plan is consistent with, and furthers, the recommendations of the 2014 Bethesda Purple Line Station Minor Master Plan Amendment. The Project realizes the “Better

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Alternative” which incorporates the alternative station design that improves the quality of service provided by a new station as follows:

The Purple Line platform would be larger and, without interrupting columns, would provide more room for riders and trains;

The Purple Line station platform would be straight, eliminating gaps between the train and the platform;

The Red Line Metro south entrance would be located within the new building with access to high‐speed elevators directly from the street;

CCT users would have a choice to cross Wisconsin Avenue either in a new tunnel or at street level;

The 90‐foot‐tall ventilation tower would be incorporated into a new building and the over‐run tracks would be significantly shortened, leaving more of Woodmont Plaza available for public enjoyment;

The station area can accommodate space for full‐service bike storage (i.e., a “bike station”).

The Project is consistent with the Sector Plan’s recommendation to encourage coordinated redevelopment of the site, especially as it relates to realizing a vision to construct a better‐designed Purple Line station and a new tunnel for the CCT. It will provide new housing and employment uses in the downtown. The Project promotes the Sector Plan objective of reducing auto dependence by integrating a combination of uses near transit options, such as WMATA Metrobus service and the future Purple Line station, and near downtown retail, businesses, public facilities, and recreational amenities. The Project’s streetscape enhancements, including new sidewalks, streetlights and street trees allows for increased pedestrian access and connectivity, provides access to shared roadways and shared use paths recommended in the Sector Plan, and provides a human‐scaled streetscape. Land Use and Zoning The Application continues to take full advantage of the density and height provisions promoted by the Sector Plan, which increased the density from a 5.0 FAR to an 8.0 FAR and a height increase from 143 feet to 250 feet. The additional building height offers greater flexibility to accommodate the numerous program elements of the improved station and trail. The additional height allowed by ZTA 16‐08, from 250 feet to 290 feet, continues to meet this intent with a design that uses vertically and horizontally shifting massing and materials to break up the overall perceived mass of the building from a distance, and a well‐defined building podium base to help ensure the pedestrian scale experienced closer to the development, with retail and building entries and outdoor café seating. Infrastructure The Sector Plan emphasizes (page 15) that “the top priority public benefits for this Plan area are the provision of space on the Apex Building site necessary for planning, construction and operation of the ‘major public facilities’ of the improved transit station and the CCT tunnel”. With the increased height and density, the Applicant proposes to accommodate the new Purple Line Station, which includes access to the Red Line Metro south entrance and the CCT trail through the building. The proposed infrastructure is consistent with Sector Plan recommendations.

45

Public Open Space The proposed public use spaces are consistent with the Sector Plan recommendations for redevelopment of the station entrances, at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Elm Street, and the CCT tunnel.

h. will be served by adequate public services and facilities including schools, police and fire protection, water, sanitary sewer, public roads, storm drainage, and other public facilities. If an approved adequate public facilities test is currently valid and the impact of the development is equal to or less than what was approved, a new adequate public facilities test is not required. If an adequate public facilities test is required the Planning Board must find that the proposed development will be served by adequate public services and facilities, including schools, police and fire protection, water, sanitary sewer, public roads, and storm drainage; As discussed in the Preliminary Plan No. 120160380 findings, the proposed development in the Site Plan will be served by adequate public facilities, including schools, police and fire protection, water, sanitary sewer, public roads, storm drainage, and other public facilities.

i. on a property in a Rural Residential or Residential zone, is compatible with the character of the residential neighborhood; and The Property is not located in a Rural Residential or Residential zone.

j. on a property in all other zones, is compatible with existing and approved or pending adjacent development. The Site Plan is compatible with other uses and other site plans, as well with existing and proposed adjacent development. The development will create a new center of activity with two transit stations located between the existing Bethesda Row and Bethesda Lane developments to the west and the existing mid‐ and high‐rise office and residential uses along Wisconsin Avenue. As the design transitions between these surrounding developments, the 290’ building height will be articulated using vertically and horizontally shifting massing and materials that break up the overall perceived mass of the building from a distance, while the well‐defined building podium base will help ensure the pedestrian scale experienced closer to the development, with retail and building entries and outdoor café seating.

3. To approve a site plan for a Restaurant with a Drive‐Thru, the Planning Board must also find that a

need exists for the proposed use due to an insufficient number of similar uses presently serving existing population concentrations in the County, and the uses at the location proposed will not result in a multiplicity or saturation of similar uses in the same general neighborhood. Not applicable, this Site Plan does not include a restaurant with a drive‐thru.

4. For a property zoned C‐1 or C‐2 on October 29, 2014 that has not been rezoned by Sectional Map Amendment or Local Map Amendment after October 30, 2014, if the proposed development includes less gross floor area for Retail/Service Establishment uses than the existing development, the

46

Planning Board must consider if the decrease in gross floor area will have an adverse impact on the surrounding area. Not applicable, the Subject Property is not zoned C‐1 or C‐2.

ATTACHMENTS A. Sketch Plan Resolution

B. ZTA 16‐08 C. Agency Letters

z-(I MoNrcovtrRv CouNrv PleuNrxc Boeno.- THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COiVIMISSION

FEB 1 2 20,6

MCPB No. 16-017Sketch Plan No. 3201600407272 Wisconsin AvenueDate of Hearing: February 11, 2016

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, under section s9-7.1.2 of the Montgomery county Zoningordinance, the Montgomery county planning Board is authorized to review sietch planapplications; and

WHEREAS, on December 1,201s, cp zz72 wisconsin Avenue, LLC c/o carrll:p:lt": ("Applicanf') fited.an.apprication for approvar of a sketch ptan for up to937,184 total square feet of mixed-use development, with 12.5% MpDUs, that willaccommodate the Bethesda purple Line station, ihe southern entrance to tne'sltnesaaRed Line station, and the capital crescent rrail, on 2.69 acres zoned cn a-.0 b z.s n7.5 H 250, located in the southwest quadrant of the intersection of wisconsin Avenue?y EIT sheet ("subject property") in the 2014 Bethesda purpte Line stition ptanMinor Master Plan Amendment to the 1994 Bethesda cBD secir plan i,s""ioi pr"n"larea; and

^^-. -ry|EBEAS, Appricant's sketch pran apprication was designated sketch pran No.320160040, 7272 Wisconsin Avenue 1,;Sketch plan" or,Applicati-on,,);

"nO

---

WHEREAS, following review and analysis of the Apprication by pranninq Boardstaff ('staff') and other governmentar ageniies, staff issued ; #;";;;,,i to tn"Planning Board, dated February 1,2016,letting forth its anarysis anJ recommenoationfor app.roval of the Application subject to certairibinding elements and conditions (,,StaffReport'); and

WHEREAS, on February 11,2016, the pranning Board herd a pubric hearing onthe Application at which it heard testimony and received evidence submitted for therecord on the Application; and

WHEREAS, at the hearing, the pranning Board voted to approve the Appricationsubject to certain binding elements and conditions, by the uote

".rtirieci i"io*. -'

Approved as to l,,x{-l->--:- 2ltzlrcLegaf Sufficiency: t v\o\4,- <'llz(tto

""".^ffiazsr cM;$9Rf""C"lsRl.Psfg$nn&r^"a rop10 phone:301.4e5.4605 Fax: 301.4e5.1320www.mootgomeryplaoningboard.otg E-Mail [email protected]

MCPB No. 16-017Sketch Plan No. 3201600407272 Wisconsin AvenuePage2

NOW, THEREFORE, BE tT RESOLVED that the ptanning Board approvessketch Plan No. 320160040, 7272 wisconsin Avenue, for up to gi7,1g4 total souarefeet of mixed-use development, including up to 878,610 square feet of residential uses,with 12.5o/o MPDUs, and up to 878,610 square feet of commercial uses, that willaccommodate the Bethesda Purple Line station, the southern entrance to the BethesdaRed Line station, and the capital crescent rrail on the subject property, subject to thefollowing binding elements and conditions:1

A. Bindinq Elements. Thg -following site development elements are binding under

Section 59-7.3.3.F of the Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance:

1. Maximum density and height;2. Approximate location of lots and public dedications;3. General location and extent of public open space;4. General location of vehicular access points: and5. Public benefit schedure.

All other elements are illustrative.

B. Conditions. This approval is subject to the following conditions:

1 . DensitvThe development is rimited to a maximum of g37,1g4 square feet of totaldevelopment on the subject property, incruding components oi residentiar and/orcommerciar deveropment of no more than g7g,6i0 square feet each. Themaximum amount and distribution of residentiar and non-residentiar uses,including number of dweiling units, wiil be determined at ereriminary Fran.

2. HeiqhtThe development is limited to the maximum height of 250 feet.

3. Incentive DensifuThe development must be constructed with the pubric benefits risted berow,unress modifications are made under section 59.7.i.3.1. Total pointi ,r.i"qr",at least 100 and be chosen from at reast four categories as required by section59.4.5.4.A-2.a. The requirements of Division 59.4.7 and the cR iine'tientiveDensity lmplementation Guidetines must be fulfilled for eacn puu-tic

'Lenetitproposed. Final points will be established at site plan approval.

1. For the purpose of these binding erements and condrtions, the term ..Appricant,, shafl also mean thedeveloper, the owner or any successor(s) in interest to the terms of this apoioval.

MCPB No. 16-017Sketch Plan No. 3201600407272 Wisconsin AvenuePage 3

a. Major Public Facilities (Section 59.4.7.3.A), achieved througnaccommodation, including all necessary easements, of a multi-modal transithub for the Purple Line;

b. Transit Proximity (Section 59.4.7.3.8), achieved though accommodation andaccess to both a new portal for the Red Line and a purple Line stationincluding all necessary easements;

c. connectivity and Mobirity (section s9.4.7.3.c), achieved through upgraded,sheltered pedestrian connections and easements for the new Red r_in6 uetrosouthern portal adjacent to the site,

d. Quality Buirding Design (section s9.4.7.3.E), achieved through ExceptionalDesign and Structured parking; and

e. Protection and Enhancement of the Natural Environment (section sg.4.7.2.F),achieved through the purchase of BLTs and provision of a vegetated roof.

4. t\4ode,ratelv Priced Dwe||inqunits(MPDThe Applicant must provide a minimurn of 12.5 percent of the total number of,l'ls_qs Moderately priced Dweiling Units on the subject property, in

"c"oio"ncewith Chapter 25A.

5. Public SpaceThe.Applicant must provide a.minimum of 5 percent of the subject property asPublic Open Space. Final location, configuration, and c'haractei to bedetermined at Site plan.

6. Transoortationconsistent with the recommendations of the Bethesda purpte Line station MinorMaster PIan Amendment, the Applicant must:a. provide within the subject propefi the space necessary for the BethesdaPurple Line station, incruding, but not rimited to, ttre tracG pi"trorr,

mezzanine for access to both the Red Line elevators ano euriie t_ineplatform, required ventilation facilities, and access points;b. locate the street-level access points for the mezzanine described in condition

6.a. on site;c. construct the on-s.ite portion of the capital crescent rrail (ccr), with final

alignment and design to be determined at Site plan;d. reserve within the s-ub!ec] property a minimum 10,000 square foot area

abutting the ccr dedicated to a fuil-service bicycre storage facirity,.e. provide arr necessary easements for the facirities risted in-subparagraphs 6.a.-A,{.f. coordinate with the Maryrand rransit Administration (MTA), state Highway

Administration (sHA), the_ Montgomery county Department of iianspo-rtation(MCDOT), Montgomery C.oynty planning Department, and other necessaryagencies to deverop and imprement the design and construction of thefacilities identified in Condition 6.


7. Historic Preservationa. Before site Plan review, unless there is a change in the historic designation

status of the Community paint and Hardware Store, the Applicant, incoordination with Planning Department and Historic Preservation Commissionstaff, must submit a preliminary consultation to the Historic preservationcommission to determine if the community paint and Hardware Historic sitemay be moved from the subject property and, if so, where it will be relocated.b. lf the Historic site is to be relocated, the new location must meet the followingcriteria:

i. Within Downtown Bethesdaii. Proximate to wisconsin Avenue so as to ailow a crearry defined

visual connection to the Avenue... 4ny activity impacting the Historic site must be approved by the HistoricPreservation Commission.

FutUre Qoordination for preliminarv and/or Site plana. In addition to any other requirements tor eretirnr'nary prans under chapter 50,

the following must be addressed at preliminarv plan:i. lmplementation of the transportation improvements;ii. Adequate public Facilities reviewiii. Provision of turning templates for the proposed access pointsb. ln..addition to any other requirements for site prans under chapter 5g, thefollowing must be addressed at Site plan:i. Design:

'1 . Streetscape details;2. Demonstration of how each public benefit satisfies the

Zoning Ordinance and Incentive Density tmptementationGuideline requirements;

3. Provision of a minimum 20ft buirding setback from the streetcurb along Wisconsin Avenue to accommodate highvolumes of pedestrian traffic;

4. Buirding design to articurate a row to mid-rise base to rerateto pedestrian scale with as many active lining uses aspossible. and modulate massing above the bise abntWisconsin Avenue, Elm Street and Woodmont plaza t6reduce the tower impacts;

5. Vary building tower heights with the highest along WisconsinAvenue

6. Provide fagade articulation to reduce building bulk and addvisual interest;

7. Fagade treatments along any above_ground structuredparking floors facing a public road or public space must fullyintegrate these floors into the design of the facade;

8.


8. Integrate sustainable design systems and materials toimprove building performance;

9. Provide additional information on the design of theWisconsin/Elm corner plaza and the purple Line entry off ofWoodmont Plaza as critical public gateways to the transitstations; and

10. Maximize windows, entries, and other openings on ElmStreet.

ii. Capital Crescent Trail design:1. straighten the trair arignment through the buirding so that the

prevailing alignment is more "straight,' than curvilinear;2. coordinate a smooth transition to the trair at the wesrern

a 3i'"itiHJ'?,fure eastern rimits of the tunner under wisconsrn(to the eastern ROW line on MD 35S):

4. Consider an art component in tunnel; and5- Work to minimize verticar change for the capitar crescenr

Trail.

BE lr FURTHER RESOLVED that having given fuil consideration to therecommendations and findings of its staff as presented at the hearing "nJ ""t

tortn inthe staff Report, which the pranning Boaid hereby adopts and incorporates byreference (except as modified herein), -nd upon consideration of the entire ?ecoro anoall applicable elements of the Zoning ordinance, the Board finds that as conditioned thenecessary elements of the sketch pran are appropriate in concept and appiopriate forfurther review at site plan and that:

1 ' The sketch pran .meets the objectives, generar requirements, and standards

of the Zoning Ordinance.

a. Use Standards

The approved uses are allowed in the Subject property,s zone under thestandards in Section S9-3.1 .6 of the Zoning brdinance.

b. Development Standards

Ile_Slbie9l lloperty inctudes approximatety 2.69 acres zoned CR 8.0 C7.5 R 7.5 H 250. The data table below demonstrates the Application,sconformance to the applicable development standards of the zone.


Development Standard

Gross Tract Area (sf! LL7,748

4.5.4.8.2.b DensitycR8.0, c7.5, R7.5, H250

Commercial FAR/GFA

Residential FAR/cFA7.s/878,610t.s/878,610

8.0/937,L84

7.s/878,6701.5/878,6tO

8.O1937,L84

Building Height (feet)cR8.0, c7.5, R7.5, H250

Open Space (minimum)Public Open Space (%/so. ft.

The.Application will provide the minimum required number of bicycleparking spaces for residents and visitors, and commuter shower/changefacilities within the building, which will be determined at the time of sitePlan(s). The number of vehicular parking spaces will be determined atSite Plan(s) based on the number of residential dwelling unrts.

General Requirements

i. Slfe AccessThe development associated with the Sketchnumerous site access improvements.transit station, a new access Doint tonew section of the Capital Crescentsidewalks and vehicular site access.

Plan will includeincluding a new Purple Line

the Bethesda Metro Station, atrail, in addition to improved

ii. Parking, Queuing, and LoadingAdequate parking, queuing and loading for the buildings will beprovided and wirr be determined at the time of preriminary Frantsj

"nJSite Plan(s). The number of vehicular parking spaces will bedetermined at site Pran(s) based on the number of residentiar dweilingu nits.


iii. Open Space and RecreationThe development associated with the Sketch plan will provide ooenspace and recreation tied to the access improvements. AlongWisconsin Avenue, a public open space will host the entrances to thePurple Line and Red Line station, while the regional Capital CrescentTrail will arrow pedestrians and cyclists recreationar access through thesite from woodmont praza to the west eventuaily to Erm street park tothe east. Final location and square footage of open space will bedetermined at the time of site pran(s), and the Appricant's recreationand amenity analysis, as required by M_NCppC's RecreationGuiderines and the cR Zone, wiil be submitted at the time of sitePlan(s).

iv. General Landscaping and Outdoor LightingLandscaping and righting, as weil as oiher site amenities, wiil beprovided to ensure that these facilities will be safe, adequate, andefficient for year-round use and enjoyment by residents and visitors.Final detaits will be determined at the time of Site plan(s).

2. The sketch plan substantially conforms to the recommendations of the sectorPlan.

Planninq Vision of the Sector planThe sketch Plan is consistent with and furthers the recommendations of the2014 Bethesda purpte Line station Minor Master pran erinJii.it. meApplication realizes the sector plan's "Better Alternative', which incorioratesthe alternative station design that improves the quality of service provided bya new station as follows:

r The Purpre Line pratform wiil be rarger and, without interrupting corumns,will provide more room for riders and trains;r The Purpre Line station pratform wiil be straight, eriminating gaps betweenthe train and the platform;

. The Red Line Meko south entrance wiil be rocated within the new buirdingwith access to high-speed elevators direcfly from the street;. ccr users wifl have a choice to cross wisconsin Avenue either in a newtunnel or at street level;

o The 90-fooftail ventilation tower wilr be incorporated into a new buirdingand the over-run tracks. wourd be significanfly shortened, reaving more ofWoodmont plaza available for public enjoyment;o The station argS Tn accommodate space for fuil-service bike storage(i.e., a "bike station").


The sketch Plan is consistent with the Sector pran's recommendation toencourage coordinated redevelopment of the subject property, especially asit relates to realizing a vision to construct a better-designed purple Linestation and a new tunner for the ccr. lt will provide new housing anoemployment uses in the downtown. The sketch plan promotes the SectorPlan objective of reducing auto dependence by integrating a combination ofuses near transit options, such as WMATA Metrobus service and the futurePurple Line station, and near downtown retail, businesses, public facilities,and recreational amenities. The sketch plan's streetscape enhancements,including new sidewalks, streeflights and street trees, allow for increasedpedestrian access and connectivity, provide access to shared roadwavs anoshared use paths recommended in the sector plan, and provide a himan-scaled streetscape.

Land Use and ZoninqThe Application t_akes full advantage of the density and height provisionspromoted by the sector pran, which increased the density fronia 5.0 FAR toan 8.0 FAR and a height increase from 143 feet to 250 ieet. The additionalbuilding height offers greater flexibirity to accommodate the numerousprogram elements of the improved station and trail.

InfrastructureThe sector Plan emphasizes that "the top priority public benefits for this planarea are the provision of. space on the Apex Buirding site necessary forplanning, construction and operation of the 'major public facilities' of theimproved transit station and the ccr tunnel". witir the increased height anddensity, the Applicant will to accommodate the new purple Line station] whichincludes the Red Line Metro south entrance and the ccr trail through thebuilding. The infrastructure is consistent with sector plan recommeno"tion..

Public Open SpaceThe public use spaces are consistent with the sector plan recommendationsfor redevelopment of the station entrances, at the corner of wisconsrnAvenue and Elm Street, and the CCT tunnel.

3. The sketch Pran safisfleq under section 7.7.1.8.s of the Zoning ordinance,the binding eremen.ts. of

^any_ deveropment ptan or schematic

-deveripmentplan in effect on October 29. 2014.

The sketch Plan is not subject to a deveropment pran or schematicdevelopment plan.


4. The sketch Plan safisfies the green area requirement in effect on october 29.2014.

The Subject Property's zoning classification on October 29,2014 was not aresult of a Local Map Amendment.

5. The sketch Plan achieves compatible intemat and extemal relationshipsbetween existing and pending neafuy development.

As discussed above, the redevelopment of the subject property will establisha new center of activity for Downtown Bethesda, uniting several nearbyplaces into one defined area. By design, the building heights on the SubjeitProperty are tarrer than existing and proposed deveropment on thesurrounding blocks, with those blocks helping to transition from this transitcenter to the lower-density residential neighborhoods not far from the subjectProperty. The ccr, station plaza, and other amenities will further attractpeople to and through the site, promoting the surrounding properties. Thebuildings and open spaces are compatibre with existing and proposed nearbybuildings, open spaces and uses.

6. The sketch Pran provides satisfactory generar vehicutar, pedestian, andbicyclist access, circulation, parking, and loading.

The sketch Pran provides satisfactory generar vehicurar, pedestrian, andbicyclist access, circuration, parking, and roading. The cbT tunner runsthrough the subject property and will feature a lignificant bicycle storagefacility that will attract cyclists and promote alternatives to automobile trips.Adequate parking will be provided on-site to accommodate all users of thesubject Property, and access to parking and loading are located to minimizepedestrian-vehicular conflicts within the constraints of the site.

7. The sketch Pran proposes an ouiline of pubric benefits that supports therequested incentive density and is appropiate for the specific comiinity.

under section s9.4.7.1.8, in approving any incentive FAR based on tneprovision of public benefits, the planning Board must consider:

1. the recommendations of the applicable master plan;2. CR Zone lncentive Density tmpilementation Guidelines;3. any design guide-lines adopted for the applicable master plan area;4. the size and configuration of the site;5. the relationship of the site to adjacent properties;6. the presence or lack of similar public benefits nearby; and


7. enhancements beyond the elements listed in an individual public benefitthat increase public access to, or enjoyment of, the benefit.

The Planning Board finds that the public benefits proposed by the Applicantas set forth in the following table are appropriate in concept and appropriatefor further detailed review. Final determination of public benefit point valueswill be determined at Site plan(s).

Maior Public FacilitiesThe subject Property wirr incorporate the proposed purpre Line station andthe Red Line (south portar) connection as part of the Apprication. The sketchPlan advances the "Better Alternative" described in the bethesd" eurpr" linestation Minor Master pran and describes the pranning, construction anJoperalion of the major public facility as "the top priority benefit for this planarea " The Board supports the Appricant's requesi for 57 points at this time.

Transit ProximitvThe subject Property is rocated direcily on top of the proposed purpre Linestation and Red Line (south portal) connection, which ariows ttre oeveiopmenito be eligible for Level 2 transit as defined in the Zoning ordinance. TheBoard supports the Applicant,s request for S0 points at this iime.

Connectivitv and MobilitvTransit Access lmprovements: The Appricant is constructing new access tothe future Purple Line Station and improving access to the Red Line stationthrough a new south portal entrance. ThJ Board supports the Applicant,srequest for 20 points at this time.

Incentive Densitv Points

59,4.7.3.A: Maior public 70 57 5759.4.7.3.8: Transit 50 50 50

20 20 20of Building and Site

20 15 1559.4.7.3.F: Protection and Enhancement of the Natural EnviionmentBuilding lot Terminations {BLTs 30 18 18

1555


Qualitv of Buildino and Site DesiqnExceptional Design: The Applicant requests 5 points for building or sitedesign that enhances the character of a setting. per the CR Guidelines,incentive density of 5 points is appropriate for development that meets atleast four of the guideline criteria and 10 points is appropriate fordevelopment that meets all six criteria. The Applicant asserts that thedevelopment associated with the Sketch plan will meet 4 of the 6 criteria.The Board supports the Applicant's request at this time with further detailsand refinement to be provided at the time of Site plan(s).

structured Parking: The Applicant requests 15 points for structured parkingfor parking above and berow grade. This incentive is granted on a sridin!scale based on the percentage of spaces provided above and below gradeland the Applicant anticipates 95% of all parking will be structured belowgrade with final parking counts to be determined at site plan(s). The Boardsupports 15 points for the below-grade parking at this time.

Protection and Enhancement of the Natural EnvironmentBuilding Lot rermination: The Applicant requests 18 points for the for thepurchase of 3 Building Lot rerminations (BLTs) easements. section59.4.7.3.F requires the Applicant to purchase BLT easements equal to 7.Spercent of the incentive density for every 31 ,500 square feet of gross floorarea comprising the 7.5 percent incentive density floor area. The Applicant isrequired to purchase 2.09 BLTs under the following calculation: g37,1g4 sf.(8.0 FAR) -58,574 sf. (.5 FAR) = 878,610 sf. /31,500 =27.89x.07i=2.O9.The Applicant is permitted g points for each required BLT, resulting in 1gpoints. The Board supports 18 points for this category at this time.

Vegetated Roof: The Applicant requests 5 points for providing vegetated roofswith a soil depth of at least 4 inches and covering at least-33yo of the totalroof excluding space for mechanical equipment. This is consistent with thecR Guidelines, which recommend up to 7.5 points for deveropment thatmeets the Zoning Ordinance requirements. The Board supports therequested 5 points in this case because the sketch plan meets tnerequirement of the Zoning Ordinance.

8. The sketch Plan establishes a feasible and appropiate phasing ptan for altstructures, uses, ights-of-way, sidewalks, dedications, pubtic benefits, andfuture preliminary and site plan applications.

The development will be built in one phase. The phasing may be sequencedor modified to account for construction of the purple Line. phasing will bediscussed in more detail at the time of Site plan.

MCPB No, 16-017Sketch Plan No. 320'1600407272 Wisconsin AvenuePage 12

BE lT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board's approval of a sketch plan is inconcept only and subject to further review at site ptan, when, based on detailed reviewthe Board may modify the Sketch Plan's binding elements or conditions based on theMontgomery County Code, the Sector Plan, or other requirements; and

BE lT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution incorporates by reference allevidence of record, including maps, drawings, memoranda, correspondence, and otherinformation; and

BE lT FURTHER RESOLVED that all binding site development etements snownon the latest version of 7272 wisconsin Avenue, sketch Plan No. 320160040 submittedto M-NCPPC as of the date of the Staff Report, are required, except as modified by theabove conditions of approval; and

BE lT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution constitutes the written opinionof theBoardinthismatter,andthedateof thisResolutionis FEB 12 2ffi'(which isthedate that this Resolution is mailed to all parties of record): and

CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of a resolution adopted bythe Montgomery County Planning Board of the Maryland-National Capital Park andPlanning Commission on motion of Commissioner Fani-Gonz6lez, seconded byCommissioner Presley, with Chair Anderson, Vice Chair Wells-Harley, andCommissioners Dreyfuss, Presley, and Fani-Gonz6lez voting in favor at its regularmeeting held on Thursday, February 11,2016, in Silver Sp-ri ryland.

Casey An , ChairMontgomery County Planning Board

MR. RICHARO 8RUSH, MANAGERMCOPS.WATER RES. PLAN REVIEW

255 ROCKVILTE PIKE

2ro FIOOR

ROCKVILTE, MD 20850

MS. L|SA SCHWART-Z

OHCA

1OO MARYLANO AENUE

4TH FIOOR

ROCKVILLE, MD 20850

MS. 5U5AN SCAI.A-DEMBYMCDPS.ZONING

255 ROCKVILLE PIKE

2ND FLOOR

ROCKVILLE, MD 20850

MR. CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON

MPDU MANAGER, DHCA

1OO MAYI-AND AVENUE4rH FTOOR

ROCKVTLLE, MO 20850

CAROI.INE LTIMERJOHNSON.BERNAT-A55OCIATES, INC.205 NORTH FREDERICK AVENUEsutTE 100GAITHERSBURG, MD 20877

CYNTHIA BARR

LERCH, EARLY, & BREWER

3 BETHESDA METRO CENTER

SUtTE 460BETHESDA, MD 20814

JOHN BICKERMANMAYOR TOWN OF CHEVY CHASE

40ll THORNAPPLE STREET

APT. #4, BSP

CHEVY CHASE, MD 20815

ROBERT SPONSEI-I,AR

I.ERCH, EARLY, & BREWER


sutTE 460BETHESDA, MD 20814

DEEORH INGRAM4411 ELM STREET


MR. GREG TECK

MCDOT

1OO EOISON PARK DRIVE

4rH FIOOR

GAITHERSBURG, MD 20878

MR. ATIQ PANJSHIRI

MCDPS.RIGHT.OF-WAYPERMITTING

355 ROCKVITLE PIKE

2ND FLOOR

ROCKV .LE, MD 20850

MS. CHRISTINA CONTRERAS

MCDPS.I.AND DEVEI.OPMENT

255 ROCKVITI.E PIKE

2ND FLOOR

ROCKVILE, MD 20850

MR. ALAN SOUKUP

MCODEP-WATER RESOURCE

255 ROCKVII-LE PIKE

2ND FLOOR

ROCKVIIE, MD 20850

I.AURA CROCE

SHALOM BARANES A5SOCIATES

101 wtscoNstN AvENUE, NWSUtTE 900WASHtNGTON, DC 20007

ROEERT HARRIS

I.ERCH, EARLY, & BREWER


sutTE 460BETHESDA, MD 20814

OTIVER CARR

I.ERCH, EARtY, & BREWER

3 EETHESDA METRO CENTERsutTE 460BETHESD& MD 20814

WII.LIAM KOMINERS7272 WISCONSIN AVENUEBIDG. CORP,


B€THESDA, MD 20814

ROBERT SPANGTER

T3OI WESTERtY I.ANE

MC|-EAN, VA 22101

MR. RICHARD BRUSH, MANAGER

MCDPS-SEDIMENT/STORMWATER

INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT

255 ROCKVILI.E PIKE

2ND FLOOR

ROCKVILLE, MD 20850

MR. ESHAN MOTAZEDIMCDPS.SITE PI.AN ENFORCEMENT

255 ROCKV -|-E PtKE

2.{D FIOOR

ROCKVILLE, MD 20850

MR. GENE VON GUNTENMCDPS.WEI.L & SEPTIC

255 ROCKVI.|-E PtKE

2f{D FLOOR

ROCKVTLLE, MD 20850

JASON EOCKENEK

CARR PROPERTIES

1776 EYE STREET, NWWASHtNGTON, OC 20005

KEVIN JOHNSONJOHNSON.BERNAT-ASSOCIAT€S, INC.

205 NORTH FREDERICK AVENUESUtTE 100

GAITHERSEURG, MD 20877

GREG DRURY

COALITION FOR THE CAPITAI. CRESCINTTRAII.COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION REPRESENATIVE

4545 42NDSTREET, NWsutTt d300wASHtNGTON, DC 20016

AUSTIN HOI.OERNESS

LERCH, EARI.Y, & BREWER

3 BETI{ESDA METRO CENTERsurTE 460BETHESDA, MD 20814

OEBORAH A. VOLI.MER7202 44TTi STREET


Ordinance No.: 18-17Zoning Text Amendment No.: 16-08Concerning: Commercial/Residential “T”

Zones – Workforce Housing Draft No. & Date: 2 – 8/16/16Introduced: June 21, 2016Public Hearing: August 2, 2016Adopted: September 27, 2016Effective: October 17, 2016

COUNTY COUNCIL FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLANDSITTING AS THE DISTRICT COUNCIL FOR THAT PORTION OF

THE MARYLAND-WASHINGTON REGIONAL DISTRICT WITHINMONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND

Lead Sponsor: Council President Floreen______________________________________________________________________________

AN AMENDMENT to the Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance to:

- allow additional building density in certain Commercial/Residential T Zones when workforce housing is provided;

- allow additional building height in certain Commercial/Residential T Zones when workforce housing and public facilities are provided; and

- generally amend the provisions concerning allowable building density and height in certain Commercial/Residential zones.

By amending the following sections of the Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 59 of the Montgomery County Code:

DIVISION 59-4.5. “Commercial/Residential Zones”Section 4.5.2. “Density and Height Allocation”

EXPLANATION: Boldface indicates a Heading or a defined term.Underlining indicates text that is added to existing law by the original text amendment or by ZTA 14-09.[Single boldface brackets] indicate text that is deleted from existing law by original text amendment.Double underlining indicates text that is added to the text amendment by amendment or text added by this amendment in addition to ZTA 14-09.[[Double boldface brackets]] indicate text that is deleted from the text amendment by amendment or indicates a change from ZTA 14-09.* * * indicates existing law unaffected by the text amendment.

2

OPINION

Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 16-08, introduced on June 21, 2016, would allow additional building density and building height in certain Commercial/Residential T Zones when workforce housing is provided, and would generally amend the provisions concerning allowable building density and height in certain Commercial/Residential zones. Council President Floreen is the lead sponsor of ZTA 16-08. In 2014, the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite did not recognize the past density allowances for the voluntary provision of workforce housing. ZTA 16-08 would allow density flexibility for the provision of workforce housing. ZTA 16-08 would also exclude the floor area devoted to a publicly owned or operated facility from height limits in Commercial/Residential (CR) “T” Zones and allow the Council to generally amend the provisions concerning allowable building density and height in certain Commercial/Residential zones.

In its report to the Council, the Montgomery County Planning Board recommended approval of ZTA 16-08 with the revisions that were ultimately recommended by the Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Committee. That identical recommendation was made by Planning Staff.

The Council conducted a public hearing on August 2, 2016. There were 2 speakers in favor ofthe approval of ZTA 16-08, including a representative from the Housing Opportunities Commission.

On September 12, 2016, the Planning, Housing, and Economic Development Committee recommended approval of ZTA 16-08 with amendments to allow, under certain circumstances, additional building height for projects that provide major public facilities.

For these reasons, and because to approve this amendment will assist in the coordinated, comprehensive, adjusted, and systematic development of the Maryland-Washington Regional District located in Montgomery County, Zoning Text Amendment No. 16-08 will be approved as amended.

ORDINANCE

The County Council for Montgomery County, Maryland, sitting as the District Council for that portion of the Maryland-Washington Regional District in Montgomery County, Maryland, approves the following ordinance:

Ordinance No.: 18-17

3

Sec. 1. DIVISION 59-4.5 is amended as follows:1

DIVISION 4.5. Commercial/Residential Zones2

SECTION 4.5.2. Density and Height Allocation3

A. Density and Height Limits4

* * *5

2. Each CRN, CRT, and CR zone classification is followed by a number 6

and a sequence of 3 additional symbols: C, R, and H, each followed 7

by another number where:8

* * *9

d. The number following the H is the maximum building height in 10

feet allowed unless additional height is allowed under Section 11

4.5.2.C, [[or]] Section 4.7.3.D.6.c, or Section 4.5.2.A.2.e. 12

e. With Planning Board approval, any Optional Method project in 13

a CR zone that includes the provision of a major public facility 14

under Section 4.7.3.A may add the height of any floor mostly 15

used for above grade parking to the maximum height otherwise 16

allowed, when the major public facility diminishes the ability of 17

the applicant to provide parking at or below grade.18

3. The following limits apply unless additional total FAR, residential 19

FAR, or height is allowed under Section 4.5.2.C, [[or]] Section20

4.7.3.D.6.c, or Section 4.5.2.A.2.e:21

* * *22

B. FAR Averaging23

* * *24

C. Special Provisions for “T” Zones Translated from Certain Zones 25

Existing Before October 30, 201426


4

1. These special provisions apply to certain properties rezoned by 27

District Map Amendment to implement this Chapter and are indicated 28

on the zoning map as the zoning classification followed by a T, such 29

as “CR2.0 C1.5 R1.5 H75 T”.30

2. For Commercial/Residential-zoned properties designated with a T, the 31

following provisions apply:32

a. Residential density may be increased above the number 33

following the R on the zoning map in proportion to:34

i. any MPDU density bonus achieved under Chapter 25A 35

for providing more than 12.5% of the residential units as 36

Moderately Priced Dwelling Units (MPDUs); or37

ii. any workforce housing floor area that satisfies Chapter38

25B; however, the increased residential density under39

this provision is limited to 10% of the floor area40

indicated on the zoning map.41

b. Total density may be increased above the number following the 42

zoning classification on the zoning map by an amount equal to 43

the residential density bonus achieved.44

* * *45

d. On a property within a designated central business district 46

mapped at a height up to 145 feet, height may be increased 47

above the number following the H on the zoning map by up to 48

1.5 times if:49

i. the height is the minimum necessary for [any] both:50

(A) the floor area devoted to a publicly owned or51

operated facility; plus52


5

(B) [workforce housing units provided based on] the 53

floor area provided for workforce housing units,54

divided by the average residential floor plate area,55

where each whole number and each remaining 56

fraction allows an increase of 12 feet[,]; or57

* * *58

Sec. 2. Effective date. This ordinance becomes effective 20 days after 59

approval.60

61

This is a correct copy of Council action.62

63

________________________________64

Linda M. Lauer, Clerk of the Council65

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